Salmonella found in M+S houmous

SALMONELLA was found in two products on the shelves of high street retailer Marks & Spencer. The store has withdrawn two own-brand houmous goods from the shelves after the bacteria was discovered following routine microbiological tests by a supplier, the company said.

SALMONELLA was found in two products on the shelves of high street retailer Marks & Spencer.

The store has withdrawn two own-brand houmous goods from the shelves after the bacteria was discovered following routine microbiological tests by a supplier, the company said.

The retailer - which sells only own-brand houmous goods - has removed all houmous products from its stores as a precaution.

Marks & Spencer said in statement: "Routine microbiological testing conducted by our supplier has indicated the presence of salmonella in two houmous products, which were dated use by 15 February and which were immediately withdrawn from sale when we discovered the issue."

It added: "We are conducting a thorough investigation with our supplier to find out how this has happened.

'Extreme precaution'

"As an extreme precaution only, we have also withdrawn all unaffected Marks & Spencer houmous products while we conduct these investigations and until we are satisfied our products meet our high standards.

"If any customers have any M&S houmous product, they can return it to an M&S store where they will be given a full refund."

The two affected products are Piquillo Pepper Topped Houmous and Reduced Fat Houmous - dated use by February 15.

The retailer said it had informed the Food Standards Agency and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.